Clay Hess was nine when he picked up the guitar. His whole family played stringed instruments, so it wasn't like he had a choice. But the bug bit him and led him to steal licks from folks like Tony Rice and others, and to take music seriously as a teenager. Then, things really started spinning when the call came from Ricky Skaggs asking Clay to fill Bryan Sutton's shoes in Kentucky Thunder. That lasted a few years, and then Clay moved on to other top-notch string bands like Mountain Heart and Sierra Hull.

Clay has his own band now, and they're in Minnesota for a bunch of summer bluegrass festivals. He brought the band into the Radio Heartland studio to play some tunes and to talk about his career … and to fill in the blanks of the insanely funny call he got from Skaggs to join the band.

Songs Performed

"Anita, You're Dreaming"
"Heat of the Morning"
"Tougher Than Nails"
All songs from the Clay Hess Band's 2018 release, Just Another Story, available on Pinecastle Records.

Personnel

Clay Hess - guitar, vocals
Brennan Hess - bass, vocals
Jacob Metz - resonator guitar, vocals
Brady Wallen - banjo, vocals
Andy Stinnett - mandolin

Hosted and produced by Mike Pengra
Engineered by Cameron Wiley
Visuals by Nate Ryan

External Link

The Clay Hess Band - official site

Gallery

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